Target practice apparatus



Dec. 21, 1948. P. G. HAWE TARGET PRACTICE APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Dec. 2, 1944 P. G. HAWE TARGET PRAGTIC E APPARATUS Dec. 21, 1948.

4 Sheets- Sheet; 2

Filed Dec. 2, 1944 1} ES: w 5 n a m; dad M 4 a P. G. HAWE 2,456,828

TARGET PRACTICE APPARATUS Dec. 21, 1948.

Filed Dec. 2, 1944 4 Shee'ts-Sheet 3 771178717 01 98 98 P. G Hawe Dec.21, 1948.

'P. HAWE 2,456,828

TARGET PRACTICE APPARATUS Filed Dec. 2, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 P. G.Hawe' Patented Dec. 21, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TARGET PRACTICEAPPARATUS Philip George ,Hawe, Weston, Ontario, Canada ApplicationDecember 2, 1944, Serial No. 566,335 16 Claims. (01. 35-25) Thisinvention relates to target practice apparatus, being particularly,though not exclusively, concerned with a coin-controlled device forpermitting the practice of marksmanship.

It is an object of my invention to provide an automatic shooting machinecomprising a dummy mac-nine gun supported on a universal joint andadapted to operate a synchronizing device whereby the aim at the instantof firing each shot can be accurately indicated and will remain on themoving target, without the use of any projectiles. The inventionconsists essentially in the provisions of an optical projectionapparatus whereby a light image of said target is projected on a wall orsuitable screen, means to impart motion to the optical projector wherebythe target is made to travel on the screen, and other optical meansresponsive to the trigger for projecting spots of light on the targetwhich are synchronized with the moving target, thereby giving theoperator an illusion of having pierced the target with his shots.

As an example, if my target is a plane which travels or flies along thescreen and the operator fires at and hits, say the fuselage, the plane,although it continues flying around, will present the appearance ofbeing riddled with shots.

There is also disclosed herein a suitable coincontrolled mechanism topermit movement of the target and also suitable target changing devices.

My invention will best be understood by reference to the followingspecification when taken in connection with the accompanyingillustrations of one specific embodiment thereof, while its scope willbe more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the essential components of mymachine;

Figure 2 is a perspective View of the mounting of my gun, illustratingalso the mechanism whereby the traverse and elevation of the gun aretransmitted to the shot projectors;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of a shot projector;

Figure 4 is another perspective View showing the mechanism whereby theinstantaneous aim of the gun is transmitted to the shot projector;

Figure 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a shot projector;

Figure 6 is another vertical cross-sectional view o a s ot p oje tor takn al n the. n li -A of Figure Figure 7 is a front elevation of my aiminand shot projecting mechanism showing a plurality of shot projectors;

Figure 8 is a side elevation of the said aiming and shot projectingmechanism;

Figure 9 is a simplified top plan view of the mechanical means wherebythe shot projectors are actuated;

Figure 10 is a simplified side elevation of the said mechanical meanswhereby the shot projectors are actuated.

In all the several views similar reference characters refer to similarparts.

1 indicates the fixed framework of the machine. 2 is a rectangular framepivotally mounted to the framework i by bearings 3 and S; an extensionto this frame forms a bell crank lever 5 to which is connected a rod 3.Thus, if the rod 6 is suitably pushed back and forth an oscillatoryrotative motion about a vertical axis will be imparted to the frame 2.

A transverse bar 7, having upturned ends 8, is pivotally mounted on theframe 2 by means of bearing pins 9 and H1 passing through the saidupturned ends 8 and through the frame F. I hereinafter refer to thistransverse bar '5 as my projector carrier. At a suitable place on thistransverse bar or projector carrier, preferably at the centre, isfixedly mounted the target projector ll comprising an optical systemiii, an electric light It, a rotatable slide holding disc I4 pivotallymounted on a horizontal axis 15 to the projector carrier and having nearits periphery a series of rectangular openings in which are securelyfixed projection slides. This slide holder is mounted in such a fashionthat any one of the slides can be inserted into the projection system byrotation of the disc.

In the preferred form of my invention when the operator inserts a coinin the slot l6, and turns the handle 11, the rod It moves upward, andthis motion is translated, by means of a lever and fulcrum, into adownward movement of rod 35, which is connected to the pawl l9, saidpawl engaging the ratchet 20, thereby rotating the slide holder toinsert the adjoining slide into the projector, thus presenting a newtarget to the operator. By means of this target projection system, atarget 24 is optically projected on a screen '25 which is placed at anyconvenient distance from the machine.

Rigidly fixed to the projector carrier 1 at any convenient pointeccentric to its axis of rotation is a lever 25 (see Fig. 8) to which isconnected a reciprocable rod 27. By imparting a reciprocating motion tothis rod, the projector carrier 7, and consequently the target projectorl i, will have an oscillatory rotative motion about a horizontal axis.

The frame 2 being rotatively mounted about a vertical axis and theprojector carrier being mounted on this frame 2 and being rotative withrespect to it about a horizontal axis, I have a target projection systemwhich is mounted on a universal joint. By reciprocating independentlyrods ii and 2?, the projector carrier is made to move irregularly onthis universal joint and thus, the projected target 25 appears to travelon the screen 25. To'reciprocate rods 6 and 2'! I provide means wellknown in the art, namely cams or cranks connected thereto, which areoperatively rotated by an electric motor, preferably through a system ofreduction gears. By rotating the two cranks at slightly differentspeeds, the target follows a path which is repeated only after aconsiderable period of time has elapsed; thus, in practice the operatoris unable to predict the path of the moving target.

The gun supporting structure 3t which is better shown in Figure 2, is arectangular frame comprising a top bar 3!, and bottom bar 32, andelongated end bars 33 and 3d. Passing through each end bar are the pins9 and it by means of which the gun supporting structure is pivotallymounted to the frame 2. Since the pins 9 and i also serve to mount theprojector carrier to the frame 2, the gun supporting structure and theprojector carrier are therefore pivoted on the same horizontal axis.

A post 35 on which is rigidly mounted a dummy gun 36 is rotativelymounted at the centre of the gun supporting structure (it; suitablebearings are provided for this purpose at 31 in the upper bar SI, and at38 in the lower bar 32. The gun being rotatively mounted on a post whichprovides a vertical axis of rotation, and the gun supporting structure38 being rotatable about a horizontal axis, it is thus obvious that mygun is on a universal joint and therefore it may be aimed in anydirection within practical limits.

A horizontal bar 32 is rigidly fixed to the post 35. The free end ofthis bar cannot move beyond stops M and 42 on the framework of themachine I (see Fig. 1), and thus, it prevents the operator fromtraversing the gun beyond definite extreme right and left limits.

It should be noted here that both my target projector and my gun aremounted on universal joints which are mechanically inter-dependent butwhich are nevertheless independently movable. Consequently when theframe 2 is being rotated about its vertical axis to give the lateralcomponent of motion to the target, the gun will not simultaneously betraversed since it is mounted on the frame in rotatable fashion. For thesame reason, if the operator traverses the gun, this action will have noeffect on the rotation of the frame 2.

Also the projector carrier 1 is pivotally mounted on the frame 2 and isthereby pivotable on a horizontal axis. The gun supporting structure 30is independently pivoted to the frame 2 about the same bearing pins 8and 9, and therefore the projector carrier can be rotated on a hori-.zontal axis without affecting the elevation of the gun. Conversely,when the gun is elevated or depressed, it has no effect on the positionof the projector carrier or on its rotation about its horizontal axis.

Reciprocably and rotatively mounted between front portion of which theupper bar 3| and the lower bar 32 of the gun supporting member are sixrods which I hereinafter call jabbers. In some views I show only one ortwo jabbers, the others being broken away or omitted for the sake ofclarity. A coil spring 53 surrounding said jabber (and compressedbetweenthe bar 32 and a crank arm 5!) holds it normally in an upposition, except when outside force is applied to the jabber to pulldownwards; if the force pulling the jabber downwards is released the'jabber will immediately return to its up position (See Fig. 4)

Rigidly fixed to the jabber is the crank arm 5! having at its extremitya pivot pin 52. Among other purposes, the crank arm 5! acts as a stopagainst the upper bar 31 to prevent the jabber from travelling beyond apredetermined upward limit.

Parallel to the jabber and alongside it is another reciprocating rod 54to the lower end of i which is attached a wire 55. A lever 56 is rigidlyfixed perpendicularly to this rod 54 and its other end is slidablyconnected to the jabber 59 above the crank 5i of said jabber. Thus, ifthe rod 54 is pulled downward by an outside force exerted on the wirethe lever 56 will simultaneously carry the jabber downwards. As soon asthe tension on the wire 55 is released the coil spring 53 will force thejabber into its up position, the jabber in turn forcing the lever 56 andthe rod 54 back in the up position.

Rigidly fixed to the gun post 35 is crank til having at its extremity apivot pin 6!. I provide a connecting bar 62 joining the pivot pin 61 tothe pivot pin 52 of the jabber crank 5!. This connecting bar taken inconjunction with the jabber crank 5i and the gun crank 6i! provides aparallel link motion between the gun and the jabber, and therefore ifthe gun is traversed the jabber will rotate to the same extent as thegun was rotated.

Also if the gun is elevated, the gun supporting structure Bil which alsosupports the jabber as will be inclined by an angle corresponding to theelevation of the gun. Thus, by the construction of this mechanism, thejabbers inclination is always determined by the elevation of the gun andits radial position is always determined by the traverse of the gun.

Mounted on bracket la of the projector carrier 1 in universallyrotatable fashion is the shot projector l0. Referring particularly toFigures 3, 5, and 6, the shot projector comprises a yoke ll rigidlyfixed to an upright rod 12 which is journalled on the projector carrierbracket la. The upright rod l2 projects below the projector carrier andsurrounding said rod is a coil spring which is suitably held incompression between the bottom of the projector carrier bracket la and asuitable bolt and washer 73 at the lower extremity of the rod. Thespring is compressed to such an extent as will provide sufiicientfriction between the under surface of the yoke and the bearing surfaceof the projector carrier to prevent the yoke from rotating in itsbearing loosely. However, the friction is not so great as to preventrotation upon application of very slight torque to it. Mounted betweenthe forks of the yoke 1| is the optical shot projection system whichcomprises a rigid arm '55, at the is perpendicularly mounted a suitablelens l6. At the rear end of said arm is a small electric bulb Ti andimmediately in front of the light and perpendicular to the arm is ashield 78 in the centre of whichis a peep hole 19. Rays of light fromthe electric bulb pass through the peep hole ,andthen through the lensand are projected on the screen as a small light spot of a sizesuitable. to simulate a bullet hole. At the centre of thearm I providean accurately machined wedge-shaped upright lug 853, and to eachside ofsaid-lug are rigidly fixed small upright circular discs 82; these discsfit in semicircular grooves in each fork of the yoke H and thus act asbearings. Two small springs having one end fixed to a disc and the otherend fixed to the yoke securely hold the discs or bearings in their seatsand also provide sufficient friction between the bearings and the seatsto prevent the projector from rocking freely. The projector beingmounted on the projector carrier on a vertical axis, the projectionsystem is therefore. universally movable and a simulated shot can beprojected anywhere on the screen.

The central portion of the wedge-shaped lug 89 has a recess 85 thereinto permit the beam of light to pass between the bulb and the front lens.

I construct and mountmy shot projector systern in such away that theaxis of its horizontal earings passes through the same line as the axisof rotation of the projector carrier. Also I mount it so that thewedge-shaped lug is immediately beneath the jabber 5d.

If the wire 55 is pulled downwards, thus carrying with it the jabber,the accurately machined recess at the e d of the jabber, which istriangular in cross section, will strike the wedge-shaped lug therebyforcing the shot projector to move on its universal joint into suchposition that the wedge-shaped lug will fit into the recess of thejabber. Since the radial position of the jabber is controlled by thetraverse of the gun and since its inclination is controlled by theelevation of the gun as explained previously, the aim of the shotprojector will be identical to the aim of the gun at the instant whenthe jabber is pulled downwards, i. e., the shot indication projectorwill be synchronized with the aiming device. But upon the jabber beingreleased the projector will remain in the position in which the jabberset it due to frictional resistance of its bearings. Being mounted onthe same projector carrier 7 as the target projector, the shotindication projector will then be in synchronism with the targetprojector. It will be apparent that the above described means formaintaining the shot indication projector in synchronism with the targetprojector will maintain the indication in a constant position relativeto the moving target.

Means which I will hereinafter explain are provided to instantaneouslypull down the jabber upon pressing the trigger of the gun. If the mov--ing target is a plane, and assuming that at the instant When the triggerwas pressed the gun was aimed at the nose of the plane, the jabber willstrike the shot projector and aim it at that point, and a spot of lightprojected by the shot projector will appear on the nose of the plane.However, the jabber is instantly released and the shot projector beingmounted on the same projector carrier as the target projector, therewill be no relative motion between the shot projectorand the targetprojector. The motion of the target is provided by the motion of theprojector carrier and therefore although the target will appear to betravelling on the screen, the shot which has struck it will remain onthe original point, and therefore the plane will appear to be travellingas ifa shot had pierced its nose.

It should alsobe noted that when the jabber is pulled downwards, itblocks recess in the central portion of wedge-shaped lug 853 throughwhich the beam of light would normally be passing. It therefore acts asa shield cutting, off the beam of light and consequently the shot orbeam of light does not travel across the screen when the shot projectoris moved through the action of the jabber, but the beam of light isinstantaneously cut off and reappears in a different position on thescreen upon release of the jabber.

Having described the action of one jabber, it is obvious that I mayplace on the projector carrier a plurality of jabbers and a plurality ofshot projectors actuated by their respective jabbers as shown in Figure8. The radial position and inclination of each jabber will, of course,be determined by the traverse and elevation of the un since they areallmounted in identical fashion. They are all operatively joinedtogether by the connecting bar 62.

Thus, by consecutively depressing each jabber, the shot projector willindicate on the screen a shot in a position determined by the aim of thegun at the instant when the jabber was depressed.

In Figures 9 and 10 I show in simplified form the mechanical meanswhereby each jabber is consecutively depressed. A plurality of cams .98,9t, 92, 93, 9 and are fixedly mounted to a rotatable shaft 95 in spacedradial relationship to each other. (lo-acting with each individual camare a plurality of followers, one of which, 9,7 is shown in Figures 9and 10 at the point when it is just about to be struck by cam 90. Theextremity 9B of each follower connects to the wire 55 of each jabber. Atone end of the cam shaft 96 is a sprocket 99 which is joined by means ofa belt I01 to another sprocket 506. This second sprocket iilfi is at theend of a power shaft till which is normally out of engagement with amotor H35 but which may be instantaneously engaged therewith by asolenoid-operated clutch I02.

Although the motor is constantly operating, the clutch being normallyout of engagement, the cams will not rotate. However, upon pressing thegun trigger the clutch M53 will instantaneously engage the power shaftHill with the motor I05, thereby rotating the cam shaft 96. As the camshaft rotates, each cam will consecutively strike its follower, therebypulling downwards the wire 55 and actuating the jabber. The cams beingin spaced radial relationship, each jabber will be actuated in turnuntil one cycle is completed. Thus in my preferred machine, sixconsecutive shots may be fired and these six shots will remain showingon the target. If the trigger is released, say after three shots havebeen fired, the clutch will instantaneously be disengaged and thus theother three cams will not actuate their respective jabbers. If a, cycleof rotation of the "1 cams is completed, pressing the trigger willactuate the cams again and the shots will appear on different positionson the target. If the trigger is pressed for a longer period or timethan it takes for a cycle to be completed, new shots will appear on thetarget as determined by the instantaneous position of the gun;obviously, only the last six shots fired will be showing on the tar e Ialso provide individual switches H0 for each shot projector, and theseswitches are actuated by each cam follower 9'! during the first cycle ofrotation of the cam. Therefore no shots will appear on the screen untilthe trigger is depressed for the first time. However, once a cycle hasbeen completed, the switches remain on and they are turned off only by atime relay mechanism or by the insertion of a coin by the next operator.Means to do this are well known in the art and need not be described.

Although I have shown only six shot projectors and jabbers, it isobvious that it is possible to build a machine which will contain asmany as desired. Also I may build asingle acting gun by using only onejabber acted upon by a single cam. It is also obvious that my apparatuscan be used without necessarily moving the target.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a target aiming device, means for pro jecting a moving target,aiming means, means actuated by the aiming means for projecting on thetarget an indication, and means for maintaining said indication in aconstant position relative to said moving target,

2. In a target aiming device, means for projecting a moving target,aiming means, means actuated by the aiming means for successivelyprojecting on the target a plurality of indications, and means formaintaining said indications in constant positions relative to saidmoving target.

3. A target practice device, comprising a movable target projector,aiming means, an indication projector normally synchronized with saidtarget projector, indication projector actuating means including meansto synchronize said indication projector with said aiming means, andmeans to release the indication projector from the indication projectoractuating means, thereby allowing said indication projector to remain inits normal state of synchronism with the target projector.

4. A target practice device, comprising a movable target projector,aiming means, a movable indication projector normally in synchronismwith the target projector, means for actuating the indication projector,including means to instantaneously synchronize the indication projectorwith said aiming means, and means to maintain the indication projectorthereafter in synchronism with the target projector, thus simulating atarget pierced by a shot.

5. A target practice device, comprising a movable target projector,aiming means, a plurality of movable indication projectors normally insynchronism with the target projector, means for successively actuatingthe indication projectors, including means to successively synchronizethe indication projectors with said, aiming means, and means to maintainthe indication projectors thereafter in synchronism with the targetprojector, thus simulating a target pierced by a burst of shots.

6. A target practice device, comprising a frame, aiming means mounted onsaid frame by a universal joint, a projector carrier mounted on anotheruniversal joint, means to move the projector carrier on its universaljoint, a target projector mounted on said projector carrier, anindication projector mounted on another universal joint, said last nameduniversal joint being also mounted on the said projector carrier, meansfor actuating the indication projector on its universal joint, includinga linkage system responsive to the movement of the aiming means, meanscontrolled by said linkage and positioned to co-act with the indicationprojector, and means for moving the linkage actuated means into andinstantaneously thereafter out of co-acting relationship with theindication projector, thus synchronizing the indication projectormomentarily with the aiming means.

'7, A target practice device, comprising a frame, aiming means mountedon said frame by a universal joint, a projector carrier mounted onanother universal joint, means to move the projector carrier on itsuniversal joint, a target projector mounted on said projector carrier,an indication projector mounted on another universal joint, said lastnamed universal joint being also mounted on the said projector carrier,means for actuating the indication projector on its universal joint,including a linkage system responsive to the movement of the aimingmeans, means controlled by said linkage and positioned to coact with theindication projector, said linkage actuated means being also adapted toshield the indication projector when it is in co-action therewith, andmeans for moving the linkage actuated means into and instantaneouslythereafter out of co-acting relationship with the indication projector,thus synchronizing the indication projector momentarily with the aimingmeans.

8. A target practice device, comprising a frame, aiming means mounted onsaid frame by a universal joint, a projector carrier mounted on anotheruniversal joint, means to impart motion to the projector carrier, atarget projector mounted on said projector carrier, a plurality ofindication projectors each mounted on an individual universal joint,said last named universal joints being also mounted on the saidprojector carrier, means for successively actuating each indicationprojector on its universal joint, including a plurality of linkagesystems responsive to the move- 1 ment of the aiming means, meanssuccessively controlled by said linkages and positioned to coact withthe indication projectors, and means for successively moving eachlinkage actuated means into and instantaneously thereafter out ofcoacting relationship with the respective indication projectors, thussuccessively synchronizing each indication projector momentarily withthe aiming means.

9. A target practice device, comprising a frame, aiming means mounted onsaid frame by a universal joint, a projector carrier mounted on anotheruniversal joint, means to impart motion to the projector carrier, atarget projector mounted on said projector carrier, a plurality ofindication projectors each mounted on an individual universal joint,said last named universal joints being also mounted on the saidprojector carrier, means for successively actuating each indicationprojector on its universal joint, including a plurality of linkagesystems responsive to the movement of the aiming means, meanssuccessively controlled by said linkages and positioned to co-act withthe indication projectors, and means for successively moving eachlinkage actuated means into and instantaneously thereafter out ofco-acting relationship with the respective indication projectors, thussuccessively synchronizing each indication projector momentarily withthe aiming means, and friction means to thereafter hold each indicationprojector relative to the projector carrier in the position in which itwas set by the linkage actuated means.

10. "A target practice device, comprising a support, a frame pivotallymounted on said support, a second frame mounted on the first frame and.

pivoted on an axis substantially at right angles to the pivotal axis ofthe first frame, aiming means mounted on the second frame and pivoted onan axis parallel to the pivoted axis of the first frame, a supportingoar mounted on the first frame and pivoted on an axis substantially atright angles to the axis of said first frame, a target projector mountedon said bar, an indication projector mounted on the said bar by means ofa universal joint, a parallel motion linkage responsive to the traverseof the aiming means, a rod mounted on the second frame and rotatableabout a vertical axis by said parallel motion linkage, and means tocorrelate the traverse and elevation of the indication projector withthe radial position and inclination of the rod.

11. A target practice device, comprising a support, a frame pivotallymounted on said support, a second frame mounted on the first frame andpivoted on an axis substantially at right angles to the pivotal axis ofthe first frame, aiming means mounted on the second frame and pivoted onan axis parallel to the pivoted axis of the first frame, a supportingbar mounted on the first frame and pivoted on an axis substantially atright angles to the axis of said first frame, a target projector mountedon said bar, an indication projector mounted on the said bar by means ofa universal joint, a parallel motion linkage responsive to the traverseof the aiming means, a rod mounted on the second frame and rotatableabout a vertical axis by said parallel motion linkage, said rodshielding the indication projector when co-acting therewith, and meansto correlate the traverse and elevation of the indication projector withthe radial position and inclination of the rod.

12. A target practice device, comp-rising a support, a frame pivotallymounted on said support, a second frame mounted on the first frame andpivoted on an axis substantially at right angles to the pivoted axis ofthe first frame, aiming means mounted on the second frame and pivoted onan axis parallel to the pivoted axis of the first frame, a supportingbar mounted on the first frame and pivoted on an axis substantially atright angles to the axis of said first frame, a, target projectormounted on said bar, an indication projector mounted on the said bar bymeans of a universal joint, a parallel motion linkage responsive to thetraverse of the aiming means, a reciprocable rod having a cam at thelower end thereof, and mounted in the second frame and being rotatableabout a vertical axis by said parallel motion linkage, a cam-shaped lugon the indication projector adapted to receive the cam of thereciprocating rod, means to actuate the rod and press it into contactwith the camshaped lug of the indication projector, thereby correlatingthe traverse and elevation of the indication projector with the traverseand elevation. of the aiming means.

13. A target practice apparatus comprising a moving target projector,aiming means, a plurality of projectors for projecting an indication onthe target, said projectors being mounted for universal movement, meansfor moving the indication projectors in correspondence with the aimingmeans, and means to retain the indication on the target while saidtarget is in motion.

14. A target practice apparatus comprising a moving target projector,aiming means, a plurality of projectors for projecting an indication onthe target, said projectors being mounted for universal movement, meansfor moving the indication projectors in correspondence with the aimingmeans, and for shielding the indication prolector when it is being movedinto correspondence with the aiming means, and. means to retain theindication on the target while said target is in motion.

15. In a target aiming device, means for projecting a moving target,aiming means, means actuated by the aiming means for projecting on thetarget an indication, and means for maintaining said indicationprojecting means in a constant position relative to said moving targetprojecting means.

16. In a target aiming device, means for projecting a moving target,means for projecting an indication on the target, means for normallymaintaining said indication projecting means in synchronism with thetarget projecting means, aiming means, and means controlled by theaiming means for causing the indication projecting means to momentarilysynchronize with the aiming means.

PHILIP GEORGE HAWE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,089,901 Kollmayer et a1. Aug.10, 1937 2,347,657 Binks May 2, 1944

